The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has rescued a woman and her two children from suspected kidnappers and arrested two alleged members of kidnapping syndicates operating in parts of the state.
The State Commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Monday while parading 10 suspects arrested for various offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, burglary and motorcycle theft.
Adeleye said the rescue operation followed a distress call from the Isinigbo/Osi axis, where operatives swiftly responded and engaged the kidnappers in a brief confrontation before successfully rescuing the victims unharmed.
According to him, two of the suspects paraded were active kidnappers identified as Gambo, 27, and Murtala, 19.
He explained that Gambo was arrested while allegedly negotiating ransom payments with victims, while Murtala was apprehended with a locally made firearm and other weapons after allegedly attempting to kidnap the wife of his former employer in Molege, Owo.
Adeleye noted that Fulani community members played a crucial role in identifying the suspects, stressing that the collaboration helped security operatives distinguish criminals from law-abiding residents.
“The Fulani men who joined us assisted in identifying the kidnappers among them so that we would not generalise. This cooperation led to the successful arrest of the suspects,” he said.
The Amotekun boss added that investigations revealed that one of the suspects had participated in several kidnapping operations and had targeted his former employer’s family in his latest failed attempt.
Beyond kidnapping-related offences, Adeleye said eight other suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from motorcycle theft and robbery to church burglaries and housebreaking across different parts of the state.
He commended security agencies for what he described as a significant decline in criminal activities across Ondo State, assuring residents that efforts to combat crime and safeguard lives and property would be sustained.
“There has been a major and drastic drop in criminal activities in the state. We will continue to ensure that residents can go about their lawful businesses without fear and return home safely,” Adeleye stated.